Innovation in Every Facet
From solar-grown origins to the rarest Type IIa diamonds, our process redefines what a diamond can be.
The Seed of Brilliance
Every diamond begins with a carefully selected seed, a sliver of carbon that holds the blueprint of what’s to come. This seed is placed inside a controlled chamber where temperature, pressure, and atmosphere are finely calibrated to initiate the growing process.
Carbon Transformation
Methane and Hydrogen gases are introduced into the chamber, bonding carbon atoms to the seed layer by layer. Over weeks, the diamond takes shape under constant calibration, as carbon atoms interlock into a pure crystalline lattice, forming a tetrahedral structure charcaterized by the hardness of the diamond.
Extraction and mapping
Once fully formed, the chamber opens and the rough diamond is carefully extracted. Its natural growth pattern is mapped using advanced optical imaging, then shaped with high-precision water-jet and laser cutting to prepare it for faceting and polishing.
Discover how our grown diamonds are transformed. Step into the world of ALTR’s Diamond Manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lab grown diamonds a recent invention?
No, diamonds were first created in a lab at General Electric in the 1950s, though those early versions were suited only for industrial use.
What is new is the scale, precision, and reliability of today’s CVD diamond-growing technology, which now enables consistent production of Type IIa quality diamonds, suitable for global wholesale and retail programs.
Modern reactors deliver stable output, predictable growth cycles, and traceable production, making lab-grown diamonds a viable and scalable supply source for retailers, distributors, and jewelry manufacturers.
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. They exhibit the same crystal structure, hardness, brilliance, and refractive properties and are graded using the same 4Cs standards by independent gemological laboratories.
How are lab grown diamonds different from mined diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are the same as mined diamonds, the only difference is origin and supply chain structure.
What sets ALTR Lab Grown Diamonds apart from mined diamonds as well as other lab-grown diamonds is our specialization in rare Type IIa diamonds, SCS-007 sustainability certification, and technology & innovation guided CVD diamond reactors and growing techniques using the diamond seed with a Golconda diamond lineage.
How long does it take to grow an ALTR diamond?
Growing times vary based on size, color, and quality specifications, typically ranging between 30-60 days. Our CVD process replicates natural diamond formation, building pure carbon crystal structures layer by layer, but compresses millions of years of geological processes into a controlled, accelerated timeline
What is a diamond seed, and where does ALTR source its Diamond seed from?
A diamond seed is a thin slice of high-quality diamond crystal that serves as the foundation for lab-grown diamond creation in the diamond growing process. Carbon atoms crystallize layer by layer onto the seed, replicating natural diamond formation.
ALTR's seeds descend from legendary Golconda diamonds, the historic Indian stones renowned for exceptional purity and elegance that once adorned royalty. This creates a direct genetic link between India's illustrious diamond heritage and modern sustainable diamond innovation, ensuring every ALTR Type IIa laboratory-grown diamond inherits both its crystal-clear properties and centuries of legacy.
Can ALTR grow colored diamonds?
Yes, we can grow colored diamonds, using ALTR’s patented growing methods and diamond growing equipment that produce our signature Type IIa diamonds. By carefully controlling conditions in our diamond growing lab, we can simulate nature’s color palette into a spectrum of diamonds with hues of pink, yellow, and blue. ALTR also holds a world record for a 3.99-carat fancy orangy pink Asscher cut diamond, The Pink Rose, demonstrating our advanced growing capabilities.
ALTR's Creativity extends beyond traditional clear diamonds into colored diamonds.
How does ALTR integrate its 5Cs into different stages of the diamond growing process?
At ALTR, the 5Cs guide every phase of the diamond growing process. Creativity shapes our approach to achieving unconventional colors and shapes, while Compliance ensures renewable energy powers at every stage, and full traceability is maintained. Consistency helps maintain identical precision across every growth parameter, regardless of carat weight. Calibration guides our control over temperature, pressure, and duration to achieve exact specifications, and Craftsmanship hones how we harvest and prepare each rough diamond for cutting. Every stage, from seed to rough, is a reflection of all five principles working in concert
How are ALTR Lab grown diamonds made?
We use a method that creates diamonds by forming crystals layer by layer in a controlled environment, similar to semiconductor manufacturing. This process is called Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), wherein a high-quality diamond seed is placed in a carbon-rich chamber and grown under precisely controlled conditions. This process results in real rough diamonds with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds, and is employed based on the specific diamond required.
Are lab grown diamonds the same as mined diamonds?
Yes, Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds.
Both consist of pure carbon arranged in the same cubic crystal lattice and deliver the same brilliance, fire, and hardness (10 on the Mohs scale).
Are lab-grown diamonds as durable and hard as natural diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds possess the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and structural integrity as mined diamonds, making them hardest known natural material that is equally durable for fine jewelry manufacturing and long-term retail use.
Their identical crystal structure ensures they withstand daily wear, setting pressures, and high-precision manufacturing processes.
What are Type IIa diamonds, and why does ALTR choose Type IIa?
Type IIa diamonds are the purest diamonds known to man, containing virtually no nitrogen impurities, resulting in exceptional optical transparency and superior light performance. They comprise less than 2% of natural diamonds.
We choose Type IIa because purity matters. The Type IIa seed originates from the Historic Golconda Diamonds and gives ALTR Created Diamonds their signature light performance while keeping them fully traceable and measurable in terms of their responsible sourcing. This makes ALTR Created Diamonds ideal partners for retail, wholesale, design driver jewelry buyers.
What is the difference between ALTR Created Diamonds, moissanite, and cubic zirconia?
ALTR Created Diamonds are real diamonds with the same carbon structure, optical properties, and hardness as mined diamonds. Mossainite and Cubic zirconia are not diamonds. They are simulants.
ALTR Created Diamonds share the same carbon structure and hardness as mined diamonds, making them identical. Moissanite, on the other hand, is made of silicon carbide. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a man-made diamond simulant made from zirconium dioxide.
In essence, Lab Grown Diamonds are real diamonds, moissanite and cubic zirconia are diamond simulants
What sizes can ALTR grow?
ALTR creates lab-grown diamonds ranging from 0.08mm micro-pavé stones to 40-carat masterpieces. While CVD technology has no theoretical size limit, larger diamonds demand exponentially greater time, precision, and expertise.
What truly sets ALTR apart is the Consistency in our ability to grow diamonds of identical size, purity, and proportion, ensuring uniformity for every design. Whether it’s a delicate accent or a solitaire, each diamond reflects the same Type IIa purity and the signature ALTR finish
How does Compliance define responsibility in every ALTR diamond?
True responsibility is not an afterthought; it is the foundation. At ALTR, compliance is woven into every step of creation. From sourcing recycled gold and metals to growing diamonds with 100% renewable energy, each process is aligned with the highest global standards of responsibility. Certified under the rigorous SCS-007 framework, our practices ensure full transparency, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain.